Accused burglar arrested on secret indictment

A suspected burglar accused of stealing some TVs, jewelry and other items was arraigned Friday.

Mark A. Noller Jr., 37, entered "not guilty" pleas to one count each of burglary and receiving stolen property in connection with a Dec. 2 incident in the Norwalk area. Huron County Common Pleas Judge Jim Conway set the defendant's bond at $20,000 and his trial date for March 26.

Noller and another male suspect "hit a couple places in Norwalk," Huron County Prosecutor Russell Leffler said. He said the pair stole some TVs, an iPad, watches and some jewelry from one victim.

The Norwalk Police Department arrested Noller on the indictment at 2:08 p.m. Thursday and released him to the Huron County Sheriff's Office. A Huron County grand jury secretly indicted Noller on Jan. 11.

Noller's suspected accomplice, Cory B. Smith, 24, of 40B Corwin St., was arrested in early December with several other people when Norwalk police used a search warrant at 14 E. Harkness St., which an investigator has called "a heroin house."

Smith is charged with three counts each of burglary and theft in connection with incidents on Nov. 22 and 26 plus Dec. 2 and 7. He also was indicted on one count each of theft of a firearm and safecracking, both stemming from a Nov. 27 offense.

If convicted, Smith faces as much as 28 years in prison and a $55,500 fine. His trial is scheduled for Feb. 26.